Crawley Town V Preston at Checkatrade.com Stadium : Match Preview

13 December 2013 12:01

Simpson suffered a hamstring injury during the warm-up prior to last Saturday's goalless FA Cup draw with Bristol Rovers, although he could be fit for next week's replay.

But fellow midfielder Mike Jones has shaken off the groin injury which kept him out last weekend so new boss John Gregory has an otherwise fully-fit squad for his first home game in charge.

Gregory said he may make one or two changes against Preston with Crawley having failed to find the net in their last four outings.

Preston have Australian defender Bailey Wright back from suspension as they look to extend their unbeaten run to 11 games.

Wright sat out the FA Cup win over Wycombe after accruing five cautions this term but can return for selection in a defence which has conceded just one goal in their last six outings.

There are disciplinary problems up front, though, with striker Joe Garner completing a three-match suspension and loanee Paul Gallagher sitting out the second of his own three-game ban.

Boss Simon Grayson has concerns over Lee Holmes and Iain Hume (both hamstring) and Neil Kilkenny (calf) while Jack King (foot) is unlikely to come back into the first-team picture until next week at the earliest.